Posted by ACRA has started a new interesting and unique project on experimental health economics. This study is to be conducted in collaboration with Boston University, USA. The principal investigator is Srishti Sharma, a doctoral researcher at Boston University. The study is about the behaviourial traits of diabetics patients. The research tries to identify whether diabetes patients are in a denial mode about their diabetes, in general. If yes, what are the underlying factors determining such behaviour. The study involes experiment in form of a game with individuals. The data generated from this experiment (game) would allow to understand certain psychological and behavioural aspects of people that may be linked to denial of the disease.
About 25 quality survey innumerators, supervisors and managers are involved in this study. We have completed a 4- day training session and 2 days pilot interviews in Delhi. All the persons attending the training session and pilot phase were well qualified and equipped with field suvey related detailed understanding. Some of the pictures of the training sessions and pilot survey are given below.
This is an interesting perspective on diabetes and the challenges surrounding its diagnosis and management. The discussion on health economics also highlights why awareness, timely consultation, and informed diabetes care are important for long-term health outcomes.
Thank you Dr. Kapoor for your encouraging comment. Yes, awareness is also an extremely important component in a country like India. We have just completed a study on health and economic impacts of reduction in saltconsumption in India. It is a 360 degree study on this topic and the first one in India. One of our policy recommendation is to increase awareness about sodium, including problems of processed foods.Thanks again.